Thaindian News

June 29, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): According to the laws of the United States of America, the successor of Robert.C.Byrd is required to serve the remaining period of his term. The total period left, has been calculated as two years and six months.

The lawmakers had a difficult task ahead of them when the longest serving senator died at the ripe old age of 94. Both the federal as well as the state laws had to be taken into consideration while calculating the estimated period. Although Senator Byrd had another two years and eight months left in his term, the West Virginia State laws do not allow a replacement to serve for more than two and a half years.

The bureaucracy finds itself face to face with a unique problem now. It has decided to hold elections in November 2012, both for the remaining two months as well as for the six year term after that.

However, the most important question remains unanswered. Who will Byrd’s successor be? The governor of West Virginia, Joe Manchin, has the authority to name the successor. But he has denied being interested in running for the position himself.

The local rumors have already started working overtime. According to them, the governor, is just biding his time until the elections of 2012. He is then, expected to run for the seat and is conveniently looking for a person who would have no trouble in vacating the seat for him.

The hesitation in naming a successor has led to other problems as well. The financial reform bill, proposed by the Democrats cannot be pushed through for want of a vote now. They had initially hoped to put it on the President’s desk well before Independence Day.